The Florida Museum added 23 adult Walking Catfish specimens to its Fish Collection on 10/23/2017. These specimens were collected between 1996-2002 at several locations in Florida by federal scientists surveying invasive species.

The Walking Catfish, Clarias batrachus, is an invasive species in Florida, introduced to the state in the early 1960’s. It’s named for its habit of moving over land, alternating the use of the left and right pectoral fins in tandem with body twists and flops.

The Florida Museum Fish Collection is the second largest in the United States, with 2.4 million specimens of 9,000 species. We have 168 collections totaling 1,170 specimens that document the spread of Walking Catfish in Florida between 1968 – 2017.

Walking catfish have long barbels, which help them locate food in murky waters.

The Florida Museum added 23 adult Walking Catfish specimens to its Fish Collection on 10/23/2017.

Walking Catfish in Florida.

These walking catfish specimens were collected between the years 1996-2002 at several locations in Florida by federal scientists surveying invasive species.

The Florida Museum added 23 adult walking catfish specimens to its Fish Collection on Oct. 23, 2017.

Newly cataloged catfish are clearly marked with a unique specimen ID number.

Read more about Walking Catfish. And learn Five Facts About Walking Catfish in Florida.

Learn more about Ichthyology at the Florida Museum.